BRADLEY Bawden emerged victorious in Rochford Hundred's May Sunday medal after seeing off both Josh Hickling and Tony Hadley by a single stroke.

Bawden returned a 70-1=69 to secure his victory, with his round getting off to a shaky start as he bogeyed the first hole.

But he struck two fine birdies back to back, including one on the stroke index one hole, and then played some super golf, as he proceeded to par 11 of the next 13 holes with another birdie and bogey apiece on his route to victory.

Hickling (72-2=70), although finishing runner up, could be justifiably proud of his own efforts as he produced a sparkling run of three birdies in four holes just before the turn, which was only spoilt by a double bogey on the par four eighth.

Two more birdies on his inward nine threatened Bawden’s lead, only for a late dropped shot to halt his charge. The second tier saw David Cowell earn a two-shot victory with 78-8=70. Cowell played a solid enough round which contained 11 pars and a birdie, with the only real blemish coming on the card-wrecking 11th as he posted a double bogey five.

Richard Woodroff (84-12=72) filled the runners up spot.

The third division also saw a two-shot winning margin as 15 handicapper Nick Gash posted 84-15=69 to deny Ian Grant (86-15=71).

The midweek Scott Spencer saw another close run week with 38 points yet again being enough in tough scoring conditions. Derek Dupree’s (11) strong run of pars on his outward nine meant he posted 20 points. An early birdie on his homeward nine put some daylight between him and the rest of the field, only for a blob to stop him.

But Dupree regained his composure to finish strongly as he pipped fellow 11 handicapper John Holman on countback. Neil Cochran, playing off three, filled the places with 37 points.

The ladies’ section played for their Peter & Paul cups with the premier Silver division going to Janice Hazledine as she posted a net 75 to deny Amanda Colgate-Herbert by two shots.

The Bronze division saw the same winning margin as Sylvia Barty returned a net 74 with Terri Stanley posting a net 76.

FULL GOLF ROUND UP IN THURSDAY'S ECHO